Gunma
Season ended · next season typically starts December
Palcall Tsumagoi
A high-altitude family resort in Gunma with the longest gondola in the Kanto region and a sunrise gondola ride. About 2 hours from Tokyo, with wide beginner runs and a top elevation of 2,100m.
Based on local data and reviews
About the Resort
Palcall Tsumagoi is a high-altitude resort in Tsumagoi village, Gunma, near Karuizawa. Its top elevation is about 2,100 metres, which is high for the Kanto region and helps keep the snow dry. The resort has 24 courses, with a level split of about 62% beginner, 33% intermediate, and 5% advanced, so it is mainly a beginner and intermediate mountain. The runs are laid out in a long, narrow shape down the fall line, and the longest run reaches about 4,500 metres. The main gondola, called Palcabin, is the longest in the Kanto region at about 3,193 metres and carries skiers from the base to near the summit.
Palcall Tsumagoi is built for families. There is a kids park, a paid nursery called Mother Goose that looks after children in two-hour blocks, and a free family space inside the centre house with a play area and a nursing room. On Sundays and holidays, children's lift tickets are free. A well-known feature is the sunrise gondola, which runs early in the morning in spring so visitors can ski with the first light. The base also has a hotel directly connected to the slopes and a natural hot spring.
Access from Tokyo is good for a high-altitude resort. Palcall Tsumagoi is about 2 hours from Tokyo, and the resort uses a route that avoids heavy snow driving by approaching from the Karuizawa side. The resort has an English website and sells tickets, rentals, and lessons through an English booking service, which helps overseas families plan ahead. All-day parking is free.
Official website: Palcall Tsumagoi Resort
Location & Access
By Car
N/A
Parking
N/A
By Train
N/A
Gunma, Japan
Terrain & Slopes
24
Courses
6
Lifts
4.5km
Longest run
Beginner62%
Intermediate33%
Advanced5%
Snowboard ParkNot Available
Back CountryNot Available
Tickets & Pricing
Current Prices2025–26 season prices, for reference
1-Day Lift TicketAdult6,500 yen
1-Day Lift TicketChild3,000 yen
1-Day Lift TicketSeniorN/A
Lessons
Lesson in Japanese JA
Ski Lesson : N/A
Snowboard Lesson : N/A
Why You'll Love Palcall Tsumagoi
High altitude and the longest Kanto gondola
A 3,193m gondola to near 2,100m
Palcall Tsumagoi reaches about 2,100 metres at the top, which is high for the Kanto region and helps keep the snow dry. The main gondola, Palcabin, is the longest in the Kanto region at about 3,193 metres and takes skiers from the base to near the summit. The longest run is about 4,500 metres, so beginners can enjoy a long, gentle descent.
Strong family support
A nursery, a kids park, and free child tickets on holidays
The resort is built for families. There is a kids park, a paid nursery called Mother Goose that looks after children in two-hour blocks, and a free family space inside the centre house with a play area and a nursing room. On Sundays and holidays, children's lift tickets are free, which helps families control costs.
A sunrise gondola and easy Tokyo access
Ski with the first light, about 2 hours from Tokyo
A well-known feature is the sunrise gondola, which runs early in the morning in spring so visitors can ski with the first light over the mountains. The resort is about 2 hours from Tokyo and approaches from the Karuizawa side, which avoids heavy snow driving. There is an English website and an English booking service for overseas families.
Travel Tips
🚌 Getting There
N/A
Shuttle runs every 30 minutes during peak season
🎿 Equipment Rental
Full rental sets available on-site. Reserve in advance during peak season.
Ski set: —/day • Snowboard set: —/day
💳 Payment Methods
Credit cards accepted at ticket counters and restaurants.
Cash preferred at some smaller vendors
🌨️ Best Time to Visit
January to February for the best powder conditions.
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Latest News from Palcall Tsumagoi
No news available at the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Palcall Tsumagoi
Yes. About 62% of the courses are for beginners, the runs are wide and gentle, and the longest run is about 4,500 metres. There is a kids park, a nursery, and a free family space inside the centre house. On Sundays and holidays, children's lift tickets are free.
The resort has lessons, and it sells lessons, rentals, and tickets through an English booking service, which supports overseas visitors. English support on the mountain may still be limited, so it is best to book ahead and confirm English before your trip.
The resort is about 2 hours from Tokyo. Public transport options include taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa Station and then a taxi or arranged transfer, or the JR Agatsuma Line to Manza-Kazawaguchi Station and then a taxi. Check current shuttle and transfer options through the resort before your trip.
Yes. There is a hotel directly connected to the slopes, a natural hot spring at the base, and a free family space with a play area. The sunrise gondola can also be ridden for the view. Non-skiers can relax at the base while others ski.
In spring, the resort runs the gondola very early in the morning so visitors can ski or ride with the first light over the mountains. Few resorts in Japan offer this. It is a memorable experience and a reason some visitors choose Palcall Tsumagoi.
Still have questions?Contact us
Nearby Resorts
Ready to plan your ski trip?
Build your custom itinerary with our trip planner
TakFounder · Japow GuidesI'm a Tokyo-based snowboarder and father of two, with over 20 years on Japan's slopes. Resorts I have personally visited are marked “Visited” and include my first-hand notes. The other resorts are summarized from public ski-area data and local reviews. I add my own notes over time.